Karis v Digital CC Management Pty Ltd (No 3) [2024] FCA 738

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Karis v Digital CC Management Pty Ltd (No 3) [2024] FCA 738 File number: WAD 60 of 2022

Judgment of: BANKS-SMITH J

Date of judgment: 9 July 2024

Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - application for summary judgment, to strike out pleadings and for security for costs - where a number of factual and legal issues require determination - where claim based on a series of representations said to be conduct within s 18 of the Australian Consumer Law - where evidence relating to two alleged representations is interconnected - whether appropriate that limitation period issue be resolved summarily - whether appropriate that conduct said to be relevant to equitable relief be determined summarily - whether appropriate that contested issues of corporate authorisation and knowledge be determined summarily - whether agreement executed as a deed - application of principles as to summary judgment - summary dismissal of applicant's claims not appropriate and respondents' onus not met - leave granted to applicant to re-plead parts of claim - claims not struck out - applicant resides overseas - security for costs ordered - quantum and timing of order

Legislation: Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) Schedule 2 (Australian Consumer Law) ss 4, 18, 31, 236, 237, 243 Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) s 711 Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) ss 31A, 56 Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) rr 16.21, 19.01, 26.01

Cases cited: 400 George Street (Qld) Pty Ltd v BG International Ltd [2010] QCA 245; [2012] 2 Qd R 302 Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Cassimatis [2013] FCA 641; (2013) 220 FCR 256 Bell Wholesale Co Ltd v Gates Export Corporation (No 2) (1984) 2 FCR 1 Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited v Russo [2019] NSWSC 661 Bullabidgee Pty Ltd v McCleary [2011] NSWCA 259 C v Commonwealth of Australia [2015] FCAFC 113; (2015) 234 FCR 81 Campbell v Backoffice Investments Pty Ltd [2009] HCA 25; (2009) 238 CLR 304 Cargill Consulting Ltd v BTAC Coal Pty Ltd [2019] FCA 2070 Chandrasekaran v Commonwealth of Australia (No 3) [2020] FCA 1629 Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd v FKP Ltd [2008] FCA 1915 Commissioner of Taxation v Vasiliades [2016] FCAFC 170 Commonwealth of Australia v BIS Cleanaway Ltd [2007] NSWSC 1075 Dandaven v Harbeth Holdings Pty Ltd [2008] FCA 955 Davies v Minister for Urban Development and Planning [2011] SASC 87; (2011) 109 SASR 518 Etnyre v Australian Broadcasting Corporation [2021] FCA 610 Gentry Brothers Pty Ltd v Wilson Brown & Associates Pty Ltd (1992) 8 ACSR 405 Global Advanced Metals Pty Ltd v Metallurg Inc [2017] WASCA 188 Hausman v Abigroup Contractors Pty Ltd [2009] VSCA 288; (2009) 29 VR 213 Henjo Investments Pty Ltd v Collins Marrickville (1988) 39 FCR 546 Henville v Walker [2001] HCA 52; (2001) 206 CLR 459 Jefferson Ford Pty Ltd v Ford Motor Company of Australia Limited [2008] FCAFC 60; (2008) 167 FCR 372 Karis v Digital CC Management Pty Ltd [2022] FCA 685 Karis v Digital CC Management Pty Ltd (No 2) [2022] FCA 859 Kizbeau Pty Ltd v WG & B Pty Ltd (1995) 184 CLR 281 Knight v Beyond Properties Pty Ltd [2005] FCA 764 Lamshed v Lamshed (1963) 109 CLR 440 Logue v Hansen Technologies Ltd [2003] FCA 81; (2003) 125 FCR 590 Mabrouk Minerals Pty Ltd v Mabrouk Holdings Ltd [2008] WASC 132 Meyidi Pty Ltd v Touloumdjian [2013] SASC 146 National Biofuels Group Pty Ltd v Elbow River Marketing [2009] FCA 613 Norcast S.ár.L v Bradken Ltd [2012] FCA 765 Prajapati v Narshima Tradings Pty Ltd (t/a Ziggy's Cafe) [2017] FCA 1563 PS Chellaram & Co Ltd v China Ocean Shipping Co (1991) 102 ALR 321 Rana v Google Australia Pty Ltd [2013] FCA 60 RCR Energy Pty Ltd v WTE Co-Generation Pty Ltd [2017] VSCA 50 Ricochet Pty Ltd v Equity Trustees Executor & Agency Co Ltd (1993) 41 FCR 229 Spencer v Commonwealth of Australia [2010] HCA 28; (2010) 241 CLR 118 Staff Development & Training Centre Pty Ltd v Commonwealth of Australia [2005] FCA 1643 Stapleton v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Ltd [2019] FCA 1418 Stav Investments Pty Ltd v Taylor; LK Group Investments Pty Ltd v Taylor [2022] NSWSC 208 Taylor v Stav Investments Pty Ltd as trustee for the Stav Investments Family Trust; Taylor v LK Group Investments Pty Ltd [2023] NSWCA 204 Tenji v Henneberry & Associates Pty Ltd [2000] FCA 550; (2000) 98 FCR 324 Tropical Reef Shipyard Pty Ltd v QBE Insurance (Australia) Ltd [2011] FCAFC 145 Wardley Australia Ltd v State of Western Australia (1992) 175 CLR 514 Wikeley v Kea Investments Ltd [2024] FCA 631 Windsor v Sydney Medical Service Co-operative Ltd (No 2) [2009] FCA 704